Saturday Night Live Recap: Dakota Johnson and Justin Timberlake Return to the Stage

Peculiar and Interesting Episode

The recent episode of Saturday Night Live featured Dakota Johnson as the host. Johnson, who had a questionable debut hosting appearance in season 40, returned to the stage after her well-known parent's hosting stints. The episode garnered attention for the promotional clip featuring Johnson and her 'The Social Network' co-star, Justin Timberlake.

The return of Timberlake to SNL after more than a decade was highly anticipated. However, his recent controversies, including the backlash from his ex, Britney Spears, have affected the public's perception of him. Nevertheless, the episode was peculiar and interesting, capturing the attention of viewers.

Highlights of the Episode

The episode started with a football-themed cold open, featuring Andrew Dismukes and James Austin Johnson as commentators. The decline of their culture and the end of the football season were discussed, creating a bittersweet atmosphere. Although there were a few missed cues, the spoof version of the Fast & Furious anthem 'See You Again' was a decent idea.

During the monologue, Dakota Johnson discussed her previous appearance on the SNL 40th Anniversary Special and joked about her proximity to Taylor Swift, who was one of the most important people in the world at that time. She also mentioned Justin Timberlake, who made a surprise appearance on stage. The monologue highlighted the passage of time since SNL 40 and featured a groan-worthy moment with Jimmy Fallon as Barry Gibb.

Other notable sketches included 'Waiters,' which showcased the miscommunication between a server and a family, and 'Home Videos,' a fun commentary on the absurdity of old talk shows. The episode also featured the return of 'The Barry Gibb Talk Show,' with forced nostalgia and mixed audience reception. The 'Roast' sketch, featuring Dakota Johnson and the boys from 'Please Don't Destroy,' provided playful insults and recognition of privilege. Finally, 'Book Club' and 'Lost Bag' offered some comedic moments, although they were not as strong as other sketches.

Weekend Update and Final Thoughts

During Weekend Update, the anchors discussed the order for Trump to pay E. Jean Carroll $83.3 million and shared funny moments about O.J. Simpson. A character named Ethan, played by Bowen Yang, discussed the lack of diversity in Oscar nominations, while Heidi Gardner entertained as a British psychic and tarot card reader predicting the 2024 election.

Overall, the episode had its highs and lows, with some sketches landing better than others. Dakota Johnson's performance was well-received, and Justin Timberlake's musical performances showcased his talent. The episode left viewers with mixed emotions and, as always, generated discussions and opinions.

A notable mention goes to Patrick Weathers, who shared insights and comments about the episode and its sketches. He also promoted his new single, 'Long Tall Wall,' which received positive feedback. The cast for SNL 1975 is also shaping up to be an interesting one, sparking curiosity and anticipation among fans.